How To Properly Prepare Furniture For Moving:

             When getting ready to use our services, preparation is key for an expedited, hassle free move. For our services to be as smooth and hassle free as possible, we have come up with a list of pointers to help you get ready and prepare for your move! 

 

Boulder All Star Movers specializes in the relocation of residential and commercial goods. Keep in mind that our services provide adequate protection for all of your furniture and belongings, however we do not pack personal items like kitchen ware, clothing, jewelry and other smaller items that would typically go into a box or tote. When preparing to have us, make sure all of your personal items are boxed, crated or properly enclosed in a box, crate, tote or bag that is safe for transit. When you're packing these items, make sure you spend significant time  protecting and packing these items properly for their relocation. Remember, we cannot move any item(s) that are not sealed, crated or properly enclosed. 

-When packing a box, the best way to do so is to use bubble wrap & packing paper to protect the items that will be housed inside. Bubble wrap and packing pepper are essential to keeping the items within the box from shifting or moving around to help prevent damage or loss. 

-If you are packing breakables or fragile items like kitchen glasses or delicate electronics, bubble wrap and packing paper are essential to guarantees their safety. NEVER put any glass or breakables in a box without using bubble wrap or packing paper as these items are the most susceptible to damage during transit. 

-When packing items such as clothes, wardrobe boxes, totes, suitcases or trash bags are usually the best way to protect these items during transit. Keep in mind we cannot take any clothing that is not in a box, crate, or properly enclosed in a secure crate. Anytime you have high value clothing such as suites, dresses, or any high value article, we always recommend a wardrobe box or suitcase. If you are going to use plastic bags such as trash bags or air tight sealed bags, these will usually causes creases or folds in the clothing during transit. 

-When packing items such as electronics or high value items, make sure you properly unplug the items from cords or attachments so they do not get damaged during transit. We always recommend you unplug everything and keep the cords separately. iPods, iPhones and laptops are not recommended to be packed into boxes for transit. These items are very susceptible to damage and if possible should be transported in a personal vehicle or a different method other then the moving truck. If you do not have that option, try to pack these items in their original box or with extensive bubble wrap and packing paper to ensure their safety during transit. 

-When packing televisions and computer monitors, use the original box if you still have it available. We realize most people do not keep the original box so purchasing a TV box is the safest way to ensure there safety. If the television or monitors are not packed when we arrive, we will use protective blankets to wrap and protect these items for transit. 

-When packing appliances, make sure all water lines, cords, cables or any other connection has been turned off and unplugged. When we come to relocate your washer, dryer, or refrigerator, the best way to expedite the process is to have it readily available and all lines unconnected and water lines turned off. We can always do this for you however does add time to your completion total. 

-When preparing items that have drawers or cabinets, make sure all items have been removed and emptied before our arrival. All drawers, containers, cabinets and shelves will need to be emptied for relocation. We can help assist with this process however will add significant time to your total completion. Make sure everything is emptied and prepared to ensure and expedited process. 

 

Wood furniture is more susceptible to damage during a move than any other item. Whether it's an antique bookcase, a desk passed down from generation to generation or a brand new coffee table that you just bought at Pottery Barn, we want to make sure all of your wood furniture is properly prepped and prepared prior to moving day.

 

There are a lot of simple mistakes made when packing wood furniture that can be avoided to easily prevent common damage. Below are some tips on how to wrap and protect your wood furniture for your move.

 

Packing Dressers

•    Secure any drawers and remove all knobs and other small pieces that can come loose. Some wood furniture, especially older antique pieces, are equipped with small parts that can easily come dislodged during a move, such as drawer handles, knobs, and casters. Before wrapping the furniture, remove all of these pieces and safely pack them away in a brown envelope or zip lock bag. If there are any drawers or cabinets on the piece, tie them shut with twine. Place some padding underneath it to prevent the coarse twine from directly coming into the contact with the wood. NEVER tape any drawers or doors shut on a piece of wood furniture. Always make sure all drawers are emptied before preparing for their relocation. 

•    Remove all legs, since legs, corners and handles are all protruding furniture parts and most likely to come into contact with other objects, be safe by removing legs and handles (if possible) you insure and even safer moving environment.

     When it’s time to pack your furniture, don’t over think it. With simple household items like tube socks and laundry baskets, you can help avoid damage to your furniture.

 

Bedroom Furniture

 

• Mattress and Box Spring– Mattresses and box springs tend to get damaged if not packed appropriately. There are two ways to pack a mattress and a box spring.

 

-  The best way to protect your mattress and box spring is to purchase a mattress bag and shipping box. Once the mattress and box spring are put into the bag, seal with packing tape. You can then put both mattress and box spring into the box and seal with packing tape.

-The second option is have us assist you with the bed and box spring. Our full service comes with mattress covers and we can disassemble the beds and properly protect them for you. This does add time to the process however can be done with ease. 

 

 

• Headboard/ Footboard – First, unscrew the headboard and footboard. Store the screws and bolts in a seal-able labeled bag to avoid misplacing. 

• Dresser – There are two options for packing your dresser:

 

1. You can pack your dresser without removing the drawers. If you choose this option, empty out all of the drawers to help lighten the weight of the dresser. This option will assure that your drawers stay with the dresser and are not misplaced during shipment.

Bonus Tip 1:  Use boxes to pack all of your belongings from the drawers; this is the best way to assure your belongings are kept secure.

Bonus Tip 2: Save on space by vacuum sealing your clothing prior to packing into baskets or boxes etc.

2.The other option is to pack your dresser by removing the drawers. You can use the drawers to transfer your belongings to your next destination. This requires you to wrap or seal the drawers with shrink wrap so the items stay in place. This option is not recommended due to the drawers being at risk for damage during transit or if the items are not properly sealed inside, could result in items falling out and being misplaced. 

 

• Cedar Chest – The factors to take into consideration when packing your cedar chest include; product fragility, size, and value; pickup conditions; mode of transport; environmental factors such as climate; and final destination requirements. To assure the safety of your cedar chest, first remove any items from inside the chest. Crating your cedar chest is also an option for additional security during shipment.

* Bonus Tip : Cedar is resistant to fungus, bacteria, many insects and moths. Cedar is also more resistant to humidity (which is why it is used in Saunas). This may decrease the likelihood of damage due to humid weather conditions.

 

 

Living Room Furniture:

 

 Bookcase – Always remove books from shelves prior to preparing a bookcase for shipment. If your bookshelves are not secure, remove them. Use stretch wrap to hold shelves together. 

• Rug – Use a 3 inch PVC piping to keep the rug from bending in the middle. Once PVC piping is in place, roll the rug around the piping, but against the direction of the pile (density of fibers—flat (short pile) or shaggy (long)). This results in a tighter roll, allowing for a smaller final size. Once rug is rolled, use stretch wrap to secure the entire rug from unrolling. You can then place the rug in a plastic bag and telescope box around it. Use packing tape to secure box closed. Now, it’s ready to ship! If you do not have PVC piping available, simply roll the rug up as tight as possible an use shrink wrap or tape to keep the roll in place. 

 

• Sofa – Prior to packing your sofa, it is best to dissemble any removable parts and place them in sealable plastic bags that are labeled. Protect your seat cushions and throw pillows from dirt by placing them in large outdoor trash bags. Attach the removable parts bag to the cushions with packing tape so they stay with the sofa.

Place bagged seat cushions on the sofa. Place throw pillows atop the seat cushions. 

• Hutch – Regardless of the type of hutch you have, all contents should be removed to lighten the weight of the piece. Remove shelves that are not fixed into position. This will help avoid breaking or scratching. Wrap shelves identically to bookshelves mentioned above. 

 

Dining Room Furniture

 

• China Cabinet – Remove all fine china from your cabinet. You can also wrap your china plates with bubble wrap (1/16 inch bubble thickness with 1/8 diameter) prior to placing them vertically into a box. Always remove any shelving or removable parts prior to our arrival or make sure the movers are aware of any piece that might become loose or fall off during transit. 

 

 

Electronics

 

Electronics are almost as important, if not, even more, than your wooden furniture and sofas. It is crucial that the correct precautions are taken when moving your electronic devices to ensure that they still work, and everything that powers it is transported safely. We recommend that most valuable electronic goods be transported with you, safely in your car. If it is too big, we will gladly make sure it is tied down securely in the truck.

 

·Television – Make sure all cords that can be removed from the TV are removed. If the TV power cord does not detach, roll it up softy, wrap it with tape, and tape it to the BACKSIDE of the TV. This ensures the cord does not fall out and is damaged. For extra safety, place television into a specific television box, then tape the box up for transit. (Putting the TV in its original box, with the foam padding is another option.)

 

·Computer Monitor – Like the television, make sure all cords are removed from the monitor. Securely placing it in the original box, with the foam padding is also an option if you manage to still have the original box.

 

·Speakers – There are multiple variations of speakers out there. Depending on what kind they are; plastic computer speakers, or large wooden surround sound television speakers, the same packing procedures should apply. Smaller plastic speakers can be packed in boxes, with the blanketed, wrapped subwoofer. Larger wooden ones will be transported accordingly.

 

·Video Game Consoles and Hard drives – The best way to get your Xbox One or PS4 to your new location is to simply put it back in its original box. Keep items like this in your car, where the temperature does not vary as much as it would in the back of a box truck. High heat or extremely cold weather can severely damage parts of electronics such as these, therefore it is highly recommended you keep them in your car. For best protection box these items with peanuts, pillows, or blankets.

 

 

Please give us a call with any questions on how to properly prepare for your move! 

 

 

720-308-0966

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